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Hotel Las Islas

  • Exterior of Hotel Las Islas
  • Hotel Las Islas
  • Hotel Las Islas
  • Hotel Las Islas
  • Hotel Las Islas
  • Hotel Las Islas
  • Hotel Las Islas
  • Hotel Las Islas
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A secluded getaway within easy reach of Cartagena, perfect for unwinding at the end of your trip.

Isla Barú lies just south of Cartagena on Colombia’s Caribbean coast and can be reached in 45 minutes by boat. Blanketed in mangroves and tropical dry forest, the low lying island is fringed with small white sand beaches and surrounded by calm turquoise waters.

Hotel Las Islas blends seamlessly into this landscape, with 55 rondavel style thatched bungalows scattered across the expansive property. Some sit along the coastline – one even offering direct access to the sea – while others perch above the forest canopy, where endemic cotton top tamarins can occasionally be spotted swinging through the trees.

Sleek and finished with polished wood, the bungalows combine refined rustic charm with modern comforts, including air conditioning, plus balconies equipped with a hammock and Jacuzzi. Because the property is quite spread out, each bungalow comes with a pair of bikes, and guests can also request a golf buggy. Please note: treetop bungalows involve climbing many stairs and may not be suitable for guests with mobility issues.

The hotel offers an extensive range of facilities, including three restaurants, a rooftop bar reached via a striking spiral staircase with 360 degree views, a gym, spa, and freshwater pool. Although the main beach is fairly narrow, guests have access to complimentary kayaks and paddleboards, and activities such as snorkelling, bioluminescence excursions, and mangrove tours can be arranged at an additional cost. The property also features a solarium, and guests are invited to enjoy stargazing through the hotel’s telescope.

From the very beginning, conservation and sustainability have been at the heart of Hotel Las Islas, with a particular focus on mangrove planting and coral restoration. Beyond creating employment opportunities for the local community, the hotel has also collaborated on projects that strengthen local infrastructure, including improvements to the water supply system through desalination.

Bartolome, Galápagos

What our clients say

  • Barichara and the walk to Guane. Also the village of Raquira.

    RH, London Jan 2017
  • Colombia was superb. A wonderful variety of scenery and cultures, and people trying their hardest to live normal lives and welcome visitors very genuinely

    JK, Basingstoke Jul 2010
  • Our two weeks in Colombia were extraordinarily stimulating on every level, from the warmth and friendliness of the Colombian people to the fertility of the countryside and its fascinating geology…

    JM, London May 2014
  • A trip with JLA is a trip with the local experts. They can respond quickly to challenges such as FCO advice not to visit an area and know the local…

    HR, Brentford Jun 2013
  • Our first visit (to Colombia) has stimulated a desire to return to experience more of this beautiful, friendly and welcoming country

    GG, Banf Jul 2012
  • Highlights?: I cannot really think of anything that wasn't memorable. Perhaps my overriding memory is of the friendliness and helpfulness of the ordinary Colombians I encountered.

    DM, Nottingham Jan 2018
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Our Expert's Opinion

Ben
Ben Line - Travel Expert

Ben fell in love with Latin America on a six month backpacking trip from Colombia to Mexico in 1995. Since then he has explored most of South America, including living in Peru for a year. He is now Head of Sales.

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Bartolome, Galápagos

Meet our team

Real Latin american experts

  • Juliet
    Juliet Ellwood - Travel Expert

    After graduating with a degree in Anthropology and History and having been fascinated by Latin America since childhood by the book featuring photos of Nazca, Juliet first visited the region in 2003. Since then, Juliet has visited the majority of countries in Latin America but has particularly extensive experience with Peru, a country she loves for many reasons but not least, its incredible archaeological richness and delicious food!

  • Hannah
    Hannah Waterhouse - Travel Expert

    Hannah had an early introduction to Latin America when her family moved to Ecuador and she returned to study in Buenos Aires for a year before backpacking across the continent.

  • Charlotte
    Charlotte Daubeney - Travel Expert

    Charlotte's fascination with Latin America began with a family holiday to Belize. She went on to study Spanish in school and at university before spending a year living in Santiago, Chile.

  • Paul Winrow Giffin
    Paul Winrow-Giffin - Travel Expert

    After graduating in Computer Science, Paul spent seven months travelling from Colombia to Argentina and came home hooked on Latin America.

  • Kathryn
    Kathryn Rhodes - Travel Expert

    Kathryn backpacked across Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Peru before joining us. She has a degree in Philosophy and French and is a keen netball player.

  • Sallly
    Sally Dodge - Travel Expert

    A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.

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